bail
Bail is a sum of money paid to a court so that a person who has been accused of a crime can stay out of jail until their trial starts. If the person shows up for their court date, the money is usually returned.
Examples
3 of 5The family is trying to raise enough money to pay his bail.
The family is trying to raise enough money to pay his bail.
The judge set the bail at ten thousand dollars due to the nature of the charges.
The judge set the bail at ten thousand dollars due to the nature of the charges.
I hope he gets bail so he can come home for a while.
I hope he gets bail so he can come home for a while.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'bailing out' a boat with a bucket. You are using the 'bucket' of money to save someone from 'sinking' into jail.
Quick Quiz
The defendant was released on ______ after his sister paid the required amount to the court.
Correct!
The correct answer is: bail
Examples
The family is trying to raise enough money to pay his bail.
everydayThe family is trying to raise enough money to pay his bail.
The judge set the bail at ten thousand dollars due to the nature of the charges.
formalThe judge set the bail at ten thousand dollars due to the nature of the charges.
I hope he gets bail so he can come home for a while.
informalI hope he gets bail so he can come home for a while.
Legal scholars argue that the current bail system disproportionately affects low-income individuals.
academicLegal scholars argue that the current bail system disproportionately affects low-income individuals.
The firm agreed to cover the bail costs for the employee involved in the incident.
businessThe firm agreed to cover the bail costs for the employee involved in the incident.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
bail someone out
to help someone out of a difficult situation or pay for their release
on bail
released from jail while waiting for a trial
bail money
the specific cash used to secure someone's release
Often Confused With
A bale is a large bound bundle of goods (like hay or cotton), whereas bail refers to legal release money.
A bell is a hollow metal object that makes a ringing sound.
Usage Notes
In legal contexts, bail is usually treated as an uncountable noun when referring to the concept, but can be used with 'a' or in plural when referring to specific instances or cricket equipment (though the cricket meaning is different).
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 'bail' with a 'fine'. A fine is a punishment you pay because you are guilty; bail is a deposit you pay to stay out of jail while waiting to find out if you are guilty.
Memory Tip
Think of 'bailing out' a boat with a bucket. You are using the 'bucket' of money to save someone from 'sinking' into jail.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old French word 'bail', meaning custody, charge, or lease.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In the United States, 'bail bondsmen' are private agents who provide the money for bail for a fee, a practice that is illegal or non-existent in many other countries.
Quick Quiz
The defendant was released on ______ after his sister paid the required amount to the court.
Correct!
The correct answer is: bail
Related Vocabulary
More law words
prosecutor
A1A prosecutor is a lawyer who works for the government. Their job is to show a court that someone has committed a crime.
defendant
A1A defendant is a person or organization that is being accused of a crime or is being sued in a court of law. This person is required to answer the legal charges brought against them by another party.
plaintiff
A1A person or group who brings a legal case against another in a court of law. They are the ones starting the lawsuit because they believe they have been wronged.
jury
A1A group of ordinary people chosen to listen to the facts of a trial in a court of law. They listen to the evidence and decide if a person is guilty or not guilty.
lawsuit
A1A lawsuit is a legal case where one person or group brings a disagreement to a court of law for a judge to decide. It usually happens when someone wants money or a specific action from another person because of a problem or injury.
proof
A1Proof is a fact or a piece of information that shows something is true. In a legal context, it is what a person uses to convince a judge or jury that a crime happened.
misdemeanor
A1A misdemeanor is a minor crime that is less serious than a felony. It is usually punished by a fine or a short period of time in a local jail rather than a state prison.
fraud
A1Fraud is the illegal act of tricking someone to get their money or property. It is a crime where a person lies or hides the truth to gain an unfair advantage.
homicide
A1A homicide is when one person kills another person. It is a general term used by police and lawyers to describe any kind of killing, whether it was an accident or on purpose.
liability
A1Liability is the state of being legally responsible for something, like a debt or a mistake. It can also describe a person or thing that causes problems or puts someone at a disadvantage.
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